Capitalism: A Very Short Introduction

by Fulcher, James

• ISBN13: 9780192802187
• ISBN10: 0192802186
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This Introduction explores the origins of capitalism and questions whether it did indeed originate in Europe. It examines a distinctive stage in the development of capitalism that began in the 1980s, in order to understand where we are now and how capitalism has evolved since. The book discusses the crisis tendencies of capitalism--including the S.E. Asian banking crisis, the collapse of the Russian economy, and the 1997-1998 global financial crisis--asking whether capitalism is doomed to fail. In the end, the author ruminates on a possible alternative to capitalism, discussing socialism, communal and cooperative experiments, and alternatives proposed by environmentalists.

Author Biography

James Fulcher is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Leicester.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	xi
What is capitalism?	1	(18)
Where did capitalism come from?	19	(19)
How did we get here?	38	(20)
Is capitalism everywhere the same?	58	(24)
Has capitalism gone global?	82	(22)
Crisis? What crisis?	104	(25)
References	129	(3)
Further reading	132	(3)
Index	135